Last week, we got it in our heads that we could be the difference. We thought we could really start the ball rolling with teachers and students and show you how easy it is to participate in the Learn the Address effort. So come on! Join us! Learn the Address (learntheaddress.org) is an invitation…
Literature Connections
What Would You Miss?
Lately, I have been demonstrating creative activities for YouTube videos from The Mailbox. (They haven’t been posted quite yet, but they will be soon!) I found that sharing these fun activities takes me right back to the classroom. I almost feel like there should be a bunch of wiggly students gathered around me. (In reality,…
Cool Book Swap
I ducked into a local school earlier this week, and the first thing I saw made me smile! Right there by the school office was a rolling cart of children’s books labeled “Take a Book; Leave a Book.” You’d need some book donations to get the idea rolling, but after that, I’m thinking this book-sharing…
FREE E-News From The Mailbox!
You’re gonna love this! The Mailbox has two NEW weekly e-newsletters and they are both FREE! Sign up to receive Literature Links and each week two literature-based activities and an engaging graphic organizer or skill sheet will arrive in your inbox. Click here to see a sample and to sign up for Literature Links! If…
A Big Blue Ox
Are any of you Paul Bunyan fans? No, that’s not Paul Newman; it’s Paul Bunyan (though Paul Newman is quite fine)! I’m speaking of the jumbo logger dude with Babe the Blue Ox. I recently stumbled across an article about this legendary hero. I’m sort of drawn to him since my dad was a lumberjack….
Year-End Read-Alouds
As teachers, we know that keeping kiddos engaged during the final weeks of school can be a royal challenge. Every teacher has his or her own bag of tricks for this unique time frame. One of my go-to tricks was to get my students interested in a riveting read-aloud. Two of my top picks for…
Don’t Miss DEAR Day!
Drop Everything and Read Day is Thursday, April 12. Celebrating this special day is supereasy, because all you need is a book! I’m planning to do some just-for-fun reading Thursday. What about you? Will your students and you be able to spend extra time reading or reading together on this day? Maybe, just maybe, you…
Nonfiction Checkup
Good morning, y’all! Got a quick question for you. I’m thinking you’re reading more nonfiction in your classroom these days. Care to share your favorite titles? I’d sure love to hear them, and I feel certain your teaching pals would too! Cheerfully, Diane
Caught in the Act!
Every member of our family at The Mailbox strives to make an increasingly significant difference in the quality of learning of children. However, on occasion, select family members can be persuaded to pose for the camera with only a minimal amount of prodding from a mischievous editor. In celebration of National Literacy Month, we share…
Trip, Trap, Trip, Trap!
When I hear the phrase “trip, trap,” images from The Three Billy Goats Gruff—a wooden bridge, a snappish troll, a lush green pasture, and a goat family of three—pop into my head. This week, I was reminded how a simple change of setting and a few different characters can put a new spin on a…